Roman Naumachiae in antiquity
Naval battles in the gladiatorial arena abound in both the Peacock historical drama Those About To Die and the forthcoming film Gladiator 2. Although these sequences provide amazing spectacle, their historical basis is naumachiae. The reality of naumachiae in Ancient Rome will be discussed in this essay together with their scope, violence, and historical background.
Those Near Death: Naumachiae and Colosseum Executions
Emphasizing the Colosseum's opening during the Flavian Dynasty, Those About To Die offers a glimpse into the cruel world of gladiatorial combat in Rome. For the Roman public, the series presents a violent spectacle with a miniature sea battle inside the arena complete with ships and troops. Although the series mostly depicts the historical use of Naumachiae in the Colosseum, it uses the water-filled arena for executions mostly.
Potential ground-breaking for gladiator-related media, the Gladiator 2 trailer suggests a full-scale naval battle. Although both shows idealize the spectacle, the reality of Naumachiae in Ancient Rome was far more cruel than it is depicted.
Naumachiae among Roman antiquity
Literally translating as "naval combat," Naumachiae were planned naval battles conducted in especially built basins or arenas. Long before the events shown in Those About to Die, Julius Caesar hosted the first known Naumachiae in 46 AD. The practice changed with later emperors building on Caesar's idea.
Held on Fucine Lake, the biggest known naumachia attracted an estimated 100 ships and 19,000 people. Many times, criminals or POWs were executed from these conflicts. Although Those About to Die shows the unusual display of crocodiles in the arena, the inclusion of exotic animals in gladiatorial contests was typical for raising thrills and spectacle.
Naumsachiae: Gladiatorial Fights and Violence
Although gladiatorial fights were certainly brutal, they frequently did not cause death. Unlike the idealized figures shown in Gladiator 2 and Those About to Die, gladiators were often overweight; fat offered protection during battle. Often, fights concluded in submission instead of assured death.
But Naumachiae were far more lethal. There was no room for submission; these battles were meant only for execution. Lack of gladiatorial training, participants were driven into frantic survival efforts that resulted in extensive mortality.
Titus, the Colosseum Naumachiae
Those About to Die faithfully depicts Emperor Titus Flavianus with a water-filled arena opening the Colosseum. He also organized a bigger naumachia in the Augustinian water basin. The Colosseum's arena could host these spectacles even though it was not big enough for significant naval operations.
The engineering achievement of flooding the Colosseum with water is still remarkable even if the arena was not very big and the scale of the battles was far smaller with practically no space for actual naval maneuvers. The Colosseum's flooding and emptying in Titus's time is unknown, and changes have been done to the lower construction that renders physical evidence impossible. But since season 2 has apparently been confirmed by Roland Emmerich, his brother Domitian held naumachiae in 85 AD and 89 AD may be depicted in Those About to Die.
Though less in scope, naumachiae persisted in being staged throughout history; less deadly versions occurred in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. A naumachia was exhibited as an art installation at the Queens Museum of Art even as recently as 2009.
Roman Entertainment: Those About to Die
Set in 79 AD, Those About to Die explores the cruel and multifarious realm of Roman gladiatorial fighting. The show looks at the sinister side of Roman entertainment, where spectacles covered in blood helped to calm the agitated people. The story revolves on several people from all around the Roman Empire, their life crossing in the great arena.
In essence, conclusion
The use of naumachiae in Those About to Die and the possible inclusion of these conflicts in Gladiator 2 underline the ongoing obsession with the cruel entertainment of Ancient Rome. Although the dramatizations might show a glitzy picture of events, the reality of naumachiae was far more brutal, a horrifying show for the Roman public. Examining the background of Naumachiae helps us to better appreciate the violence and spectacle that defined ancient Roman society.
